To develop high-level accuracy on wide serves from both the deuce and ad courts.

Comments

In the process of mastering a high-level serve, the wide serve should come first. With the wide serve, the trajectory is longer and the space bigger. The first tactical goal of the serve is to push the opponent away from the court. First, one must achieve high-level accuracy with the second serve (slice and top spin). Later, one will hit a flat first serve and follow it with a slice or top-spin second serve.

Instruction

Mark a target area for the high-level wide serves

(3 m x 1m). Practice WIDE serves from both the deuce AND the ad courts..

Practice game

Play 10-point practice games. One player serves all 10 points from the deuce court. In the next game, the server serves 10 points from the ad court. The other player practices returning the wide serves. Players change roles after each game.

Each point starts once the server hits the high-level target area. The number of tries is not limited. The point is played out.

After one 10 point game is finished, the coach will present statistics regarding the player’s wide serve accuracy.

Variation

DEVELOPING T-SERVES

After developing accuracy on wide serves, the player should proceed with practicing serves aimed at the T.

The main purpose of the first drill was to practice the wide and T-serves in a relaxed setting -the server had limitless tries. Now the quality of the player’s serve is challenged. Oneball per serve is allowed! The right balance between speed and accuracy must be maintained.

Practice game

Play 10-point games, alternating between the deuce and ad sides of the court after each point. One player serves and the other returns. Each point is played out. Players change roles after each game. The main purpose of this drill is to check efficiency of server’s second serve as well as receiver’s second serve return.

To serve aces, winners and create pressure, the server must develop a powerful first serve. This will lead to a feeling of confidence.

Practice game

To acquire the habit of hitting a powerful first serve, the server is allowed three tries, instead of the normal two. This drill encourages the server to be relaxed and fearless.

For the receiver, this is an excellent drill to practice neutralizing the first serve.

Scoring format

Play 10-point games. One player only serves and the other player returns. The game starts once the server hits anywhere in the service box. The point is played out. Players change roles after each game.

To be able to follow the server’s development, for each point the coach must note how many tries the server needed before hitting the ball in the service box. The server should easily win this kind of a game.

When it is obvious that the player has reached the desired level of accuracy and speed of serve (for example, almost 100% of second serves in, and more than 60% of first serves in, it is time to determine whether he can dominate the games in which he serves. Dominance is demonstrated by winning two points in a row.

For the receiver, this is an excellent drill to practice the mental attitude needed for breaking the serve. In a real match, winning two points in a row puts the receiver close to achieving a service break.

Practice game

The server or receiver must win two points in a row to score one point. On all points, one player only serves and the other player only returns. Players change roles after each game.

Scoring format

First to 7 points by a margin of 2 is played.

Variation

For one point, the server must win three points in a row and the receiver two.

To become consistent at hitting deep, effortless forehands and backhands from the baseline.

Comment

Hitting forehands and backhands from the baseline with a relaxed attitude is the most common drill atall levels. Use various rotations: drive, slice, and topspin. Hit deep, high, low, and flat. Enjoy just hitting the ball. Try to hit 30 to 50 shots in a row as close to the baseline as you can. This is the fundamental activity for the development of the more complex baseline-game.

Hitting forehands and backhands deep and close to the baseline creates pressure on the opponent by moving him away from the court and forcing him to hit short. Controlling the depth of the shots is a definite sign of high-level tennis.

Practice game

Before the point starts, each player is positioned at the middle of the baseline . Players alternate in starting the point with an underhand feed to the middle of the baseline. Players move each other left and right along the baseline. The point is lost if the ball is hit out, in the net, or short (in the service box). Net-game is not allowed in this drill.

Variation

To make the drill more demanding, stretch the elastic band 20 cm over the net.

Scoring format

First to 10 points by a margin of 2.

*To make the game more interesting and demanding, two points are deducted for any shots in the net.

To become consistent at hitting on the move and moving the opponent from corner to corner.

Comment

This is a very common drill, which develops tactical discipline, playing on the move, changing directions, using different rotations, and covering the court.

It is expected that the cross-court player creates pressure by hitting angles with topspin and slice shots. The down-the line player reacts to the pressure by hitting deep slices and topspin shots and waiting for the opportunity to hit a drive forehand or backhand winner.

Net-game is not allowed in this drill.

Practice game

One player practices only cross-court shots and the other down-the line shots. Change roles after each game.

To practice creating pressure with cross-court angles and finishing points by hitting down-the line shots.

Comment

This is one of the most effective drills to practice creating openings with cross-court forehands, backhands, and inside-out forehands.

Practice game

Players start the point either from the deuce or ad side diagonally positioned from each other. They alternate underhand ball feeding. They keep playing cross-court until one pulls the trigger down-the line. After that the point is played out. If someone makes an error with a cross-court shot, the point starts again.

*Practice separately from the deuce and ad side. On ad side practice backhands, inside-out, and inside-in forehands.

When a player approaches the net, the point will end within one or two shots. There is no way back. The net game has no neutral or defensive options. The outcome depends upon the pressure the net player applied to the opponent with his or her previous shots.

To develop quick reactions, feel, and decision-making in the net-game.

Comment

To play various net-game combinations in the half court is very demanding. This simple drill tests a player’s creativity and instincts.

Practice game

Half court, from the baseline to the net, is used. Two players alternate to start the game from the service line. An underhand shot at the feet of the opponent is used to start the point. All tactical combinations are allowed: volley-to-volley exchanges, lobs and overheads, drop-shot volleys, passing shots.